SPORTS

Pirelli granted extra F1 pre-season wet weather test

AzerTAg.az

Pirelli has been granted permission to carry out an extra Formula 1 pre-season wet weather test this year, to help its preparations for the new campaign, according to Autosport.

There was a renewed focus on the performance of Pirelli's wet tyres following last year's rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix, when a number of drivers complained.

The performance of the wets has come into sharper focus amid the plan for wet races to have a standing start from now on if they initially begin behind a safety car. That rule is due to be ratified by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on Wednesday.

In light of those two factors, Pirelli has been pushing for a bespoke wet weather tyre test so it can focus on developing an improved product for the season ahead.

Following discussions at Tuesday's F1 Commission meeting in Geneva, it has emerged that Pirelli has been granted its wish - and will be allowed to run an extra single car wet-weather test before the start of the 2017 season.

It is understood that the two-day test will utilise one of the mule cars prepared by Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes for last year's 2017-spec tyre testing, while the location for the run has not yet been finalised.

Speaking last week, Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery told Autosport that the focus for the work would be on improving the characteristics of the extreme wet tyre, as feedback on the intermediate has been more positive.